Alora loses to Cambodian rival anew, settles for silver

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The disappointments keep coming for Team Philippines in the 29th Southeast Asian Games, after veteran taekwondo jin Kirstie Elaine Alora, the country's flag-bearer in the opening ceremonies, lost in the final of the -73kg division on Tuesday at the KLCC Hall 1 here.

Facing off against Cambodian rival Sorn Seavmey, Alora led 1-0 early but committed violations that led to points for her taller opponent. She was trailing 3-6 after round 2, and while she was more aggressive in the third and final round, Alora could not make up for the deficit.

Kirstie Elaine Alora of the Philippines (red) competes against Sorn
Seavmey of Cambodia (blue) in the finals of the women's -73 kg category
of the 29th Southeast Asian Games competition Tuesday at the Kuala
Lumpur Convention Center. POC/PSC Pool

Sorn, the defending SEA Games champion and a gold medalist in the 2014 Asian Games, took a 13-6 victory, making it the third straight time that she has beaten Alora.

"I did my best, siyempre," said Alora after the bout as she settled for the silver medal. "I'm trying talaga to score and get some points, but siguro, kulang pa rin ng follow-ups."